Are you arachnophobic? Acrophobic? Ophidiophobic (afraid of snakes)? “Chemistry of Fear and Fright” explains how two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, work to trigger a cascade of “fight or flight” fear responses when you're confronted by a spider, great height or snake. Also in this collection: news stories from the archives of NBC News and Scientific American on common fears and phobias; a Word Root on the origin of “phobia”; and a photo slide show of common fear response triggers.

Are you arachnophobic? Acrophobic? Ophidiophobic (afraid of snakes)? “Chemistry of Fear and Fright” explains how two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, work to trigger a cascade of “fight or flight” fear responses when you're confronted by a spider, great height or snake. Also in this collection: news stories from the archives of NBC News and Scientific American on common fears and phobias; a Word Root on the origin of “phobia”; and a photo slide show of common fear response triggers.

This NBC Learn video explains what fear is, chemically: a series of responses in the brain and body -- including an increase in heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and perspiration -- after release into the bloodstream of two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, that ready the body for "fight or flight" action.

This NBC Learn video explains what fear is, chemically: a series of responses in the brain and body -- including an increase in heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and perspiration -- after release into the bloodstream of two hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, that ready the body for "fight or flight" action.

Date : 10/30/2008

Clip Length : 00:02:43

16 terms for different phobias, from "arachnophobia" to "xenophobia" -- derived from the Greek root "phobos," meaning "fear" -- are shown in this NBC animation.

16 terms for different phobias, from "arachnophobia" to "xenophobia" -- derived from the Greek root "phobos," meaning "fear" -- are shown in this NBC animation.

Date : 01/25/2011

Clip Length : 2

This 2011 Scientific American Guest Blog compares common phobias of animals, fish, invertebrates and insects with actual deaths attributed to those species. Example: millions of people are afraid of spiders, yet very few are actually killed by venomous spider bites. Source: Scientific American, January 25, 2011

This 2011 Scientific American Guest Blog compares common phobias of animals, fish, invertebrates and insects with actual deaths attributed to those species. Example: millions of people are afraid of spiders, yet very few are actually killed by venomous spider bites. Source: Scientific American, January 25, 2011

Date : 01/01/1999

Clip Length : 2

This excerpt from a 1999 U.S. Surgeon General's Mental Health Report summarizes the definitions and incidences in the U.S. population of agoraphobia; specific phobias (such as fear of snakes, spiders, heights, etc.); and social phobias (such as fear of public speaking or performance).

This excerpt from a 1999 U.S. Surgeon General's Mental Health Report summarizes the definitions and incidences in the U.S. population of agoraphobia; specific phobias (such as fear of snakes, spiders, heights, etc.); and social phobias (such as fear of public speaking or performance).

Date : 04/17/2004

Clip Length : 00:04:31

Dr. Gail Saltz outlines new ways to treat phobias -- persistent and irrational fears of objects, such as snakes or spiders, or situations, such as flying or public speaking. New treatments include virtual reality therapy.

Dr. Gail Saltz outlines new ways to treat phobias -- persistent and irrational fears of objects, such as snakes or spiders, or situations, such as flying or public speaking. New treatments include virtual reality therapy.

Date : 12/14/2010

Clip Length : 3

This 2010 Scientific American article reports on research into ways of helping the amygdalae in the brain modify or remove--"uninstall"--debilitating traumatic memories and fears imprinted on the brain by neurons. Source: Scientific American, December 14, 2010

This 2010 Scientific American article reports on research into ways of helping the amygdalae in the brain modify or remove--"uninstall"--debilitating traumatic memories and fears imprinted on the brain by neurons. Source: Scientific American, December 14, 2010

Date : 03/06/2000

Clip Length : 2

This 2000 Scientific American article summarizes research into whether fear, phobic, anxiety and panic responses are learned and environment-related, or are genetic traits that can be inherited. Source: Scientific American, March 6, 2000

This 2000 Scientific American article summarizes research into whether fear, phobic, anxiety and panic responses are learned and environment-related, or are genetic traits that can be inherited. Source: Scientific American, March 6, 2000

Date : 10/26/2011

Clip Length : 10

Slide show of ten Associated Press photographs showing common causes of fear responses and phobias, from snakes and spiders to heights and thunder. Source: AP

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